There are over 300 extant (living) species, with about two-thirds found in Australo-Papua and one-third in the Americas. 2. Biology and Reproduction
Unlike placental mammals, marsupials have a short gestation period, giving birth to a tiny, embryonic newborn called a joey . marsupial
Marsupials traveled across Antarctica—which was warmer at the time—to Australia during the Gondwanan period. There are over 300 extant (living) species, with
The name is derived from the Latin marsupium , meaning "pouch". A key defining feature is the presence of
Many, but not all, female marsupials possess a pouch. A key defining feature is the presence of epipubic bones, which project forward from the pelvis.
Marsupials generally have a lower basal metabolic rate compared to similarly sized placental mammals, and they lack brown adipose tissue for generating heat. 3. Evolutionary History and Distribution
Due to the early separation of Australia from other continents, Australian marsupials evolved in isolation, leading to immense diversity through convergent evolution. 4. Examples of Species Kangaroos/Wallabies: Known for hopping locomotion. Koalas: Arboreal herbivores. Wombats: Terrestrial burrowers. Tasmanian Devils: The largest carnivorous marsupial.